Online dating scams have been on the rise, with Americans reporting over $735 million in losses last year alone. Sadly, one Massachusetts woman became the latest victim of these scams, losing her entire life savings.
Developing an Online Relationship
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous and will be referred to as Alice, met a man on Facebook’s dating platform last October. Over time, they developed a romantic relationship online, texting, calling, and even video chatting multiple times.
Alice said the man seemed honest and sincere, never behaving inappropriately. “You get very close to people, and you really think, ‘This is going to happen,'” she remarked.
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Asking for Money
In April, things took a concerning turn. The man began asking Alice for money, claiming it was to help pay for an overseas work project and that he was having issues accessing his bank account.
Alice complied with the requests, sending him money several times over the next few months. She thought she was helping her online boyfriend complete his project so he could come home.
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Realizing the Scam
When the man was supposed to finally meet Alice in the U.S., he claimed he had been in a car accident and was hospitalized. At that point, Alice realized she had been scammed out of her life savings.
“I knew at that point I was being scammed,” she said. “I kind of thought that I wish I had the last two weeks back and wouldn’t have been so vulnerable in my life.”
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Reporting the Crime
Alice has reported the scam to the FBI, local police, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office. However, she has not yet gotten her money back and has had to postpone retirement plans.
This heartbreaking scam highlights the need for caution when developing online relationships. Experts urge never sending money to someone you meet online, regardless of how sincere they may seem. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately and contact your bank.
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